Principal Findings:

The co-primary outcome, atrial fibrillation recurrence, occurred in 53% of the abstinence group compared with 73% of the usual consumption group (p = 0.004).

The co-primary outcome, mean atrial fibrillation burden, was 5.6% of the abstinence group compared with 8.2% of the usual consumption group (p = 0.016).

Secondary outcomes:

Atrial fibrillation hospitalization: 9% of the abstinence group compared with 20% of the usual consumption group (p = 0.053)

Body mass index (BMI) at follow-up: 27.7 kg/m2 in the abstinence group compared with 28.9 kg/m2 in the usual consumption group (p = 0.03)

Interpretation:

Among patients with atrial fibrillation and moderate alcohol consumption, abstinence from alcohol was associated with a reduction in atrial fibrillation recurrence and atrial fibrillation burden. Abstinence was also associated with a reduction in BMI at follow-up. Patients with atrial fibrillation should be counseled on limiting alcohol consumption.

References:

Presented by Dr. Aleksandr Voskoboinik at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session (ACC 2019), New Orleans, LA, March 18, 2019.